Just one day after picking up his 11th win of the season, Jonas Gustavsson is once again sidelined with a groin injury.

He’ll miss Monday’s game in Nashville.

How long Gustavsson, who’s 11-3-2 this year with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage, will be out isn’t know.

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Gustavsson took over the starting duties after Jimmy Howard was sidelined with a sprained left MCL.

“He’s played the way we hoped he would when we signed him,” Holland said earlier this season. “Last year was rough for him. He was injured and then when he got healthy it was a must-win every night and we rode Jimmy Howard every night.”

Gustavsson has battled groin injuries during his two seasons in Detroit, beginning the year on injured reserve because of it.

He appeared in just seven of the 48 games during the lockout-shortened year last season, making just four starts. He didn’t play over the final 27 games of the season, which included the playoffs.

“He’s been a big story for us this year,” Holland said. “He gives us a chance to win every night. You have to have two goalies going because the days of one guy playing 70 games are over.”

Howard could return Monday, but the team won’t know until after the morning skate in Nashville according to Wings general manager Ken Holland.

“It’s one of those things where I still don’t know,” Howard said. “I felt it a couple of times in practice. We’re going to make a phone call back to Dr. Plagens and see if there’s any risk. Other than that, I think I’ll be back in there. I’m really optimistic that I’ll be back in there tomorrow.

“(Saturday) I didn’t really feel it, and then today in a couple of movements, I did (feel it),” Howard continued. “I communicated that with Piet (Van Zant) and we’re going to talk to Dr. Plagens, but I’m still very optimistic I’m going to be in there tomorrow night.”

Howard has struggled winning games this season. He’s 6-8-7 with a 2.65 GAA and a .910 save percentage.

“I don’t think it’s mental, knees for a goalie are a pretty big thing,” Howard said. “You want to make sure there’s no real risk of going out there and further injuring it. That’s where we’re at right now, but I still think I’ll be out there tomorrow.”

If Howard is OK to dress as the backup then he wants to play.

“I’ve missed playing, I’ve missed being out there and competing with the guys,” said Howard, who was injured at practice on Dec. 11. “It’s tough when you’re sitting there and watching it and you feel you can do something for the team but you can’t. For me, if I do get the chance to play tomorrow, I’ll be excited and bring some of that excitement into the room.”

Howard said he’s not put a lot of thought into the possibility of his first game back being in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Michigan Stadium.

“All along it was getting back for tomorrow night so we’re going to take it one step at a time and try to get me ready to go for tomorrow night,” Howard said. “

Ins and outs

Henrik Zetterberg missed practice with a sore groin, but will play Monday.

Darren Helm (shoulder) could also return to the lineup.

“There’s a chance, always a chance,” Helm said. “Good chance, I think. I don’t know. It was a good day, I moved in the right direction. Hopefully tomorrow it feels the same way, or better, it would be great and then we’ll talk about it after.”

Helm’s status will be decided after the morning skate.

“I did a little bit more stuff on the ice and felt good,” Helm said. “I did some keep away stuff with (Daniel Alfredsson) and a couple other guys and made sure Tag (Todd Bertuzzi’s son) didn’t touch the puck too much. It was good. I got my confidence going.”

With his return pending, the team assigned Luke Glendening to Grand Rapids.